If students have been victims of mediocre and poor schools, passing the test will prove exceptionally difficult. A variety of problems plague these troubled schools. Academics are hindered by problems with discipline and absenteeism. Students cannot learn with disruptions during the school day and when they are not in school. Furthermore, teachers are unable to teach consistent and sequenced lessons when they have to battle with behavior problems and lack of continuity when students are not there. Teachers become frustrated quickly and seek employment at middle and upper class schools. Consequently, the poorer schools frequently have new and inexperienced teachers and rapid teacher turnover.

Poorer schools also lack adequate funding for basic items like textbooks, computers, and classroom furniture. Study after study has shown that students must have an appropriate atmosphere in which to learn. It would seem that additional funding would help the situation. To their credit, the state recognized that last year and allocated an additional $20 million to schools for remedial aid. Unfortunately, Judge Freedman recognized in his ruling that the "funds were insufficient and arbitrarily distributed" (cbsnews).

Throwing money at the problem seems to be the state's solution. The government plans to increase school funding by $30 million for next year (cbsnews). An increase will certainly help struggling districts. However, the districts are not going to be magically fixed overnight. First, the money will have to be distributed...

Secondly, it will take years before a positive change really occurs. Students will have to cycle through years of education and build the foundations for passing the CAHSEE in high school. Money will not solve the problem of non-English speakers. Another solution will have to be created to give them a fair chance at passing the exam.
Judge Freedman's decision is certainly not the end of the problem. If anything, it is the beginning. The beauty of his decision is that it will force the state's government to take notice of the problem and attempt a constructive solution. By delaying the test as a requirement for this year, it gives the schools and the state more opportunity to evaluate the legitimacy and fairness of the CAHSEE. Hopefully, in the future, the various factions involved can come to a solution that truly benefits students and does not make them victims of bureaucracy.

Works Cited

California High School Exit Examination: Questions and Answers for Parents/Guardians." California Department of Education. June 2005. 18 May 2006. http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/documents/infoparents05.pdf

Korry, Elaine. "Judge Suspends California High School Exit Exam." National

Public Radio. 18 May 2006. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5402662&ft=1&f=1001

Ruling Blocks California High School Exit Exam." CBS News. 13 May 2006.

18 May 2006. http://cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/13/ap/national/printableD8HINO9G0.shtml